Legal requirements for establishing or operating a poultry farm

In Queensland, poultry farming is an environmentally relevant activity (ERA) under the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019. To operate a poultry farming ERA you must hold an environmental authority (EA) issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 .

Under the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019, poultry farming is defined as farming 1000 or more birds to produce:

• eggs, fertile eggs or rearing hatchlings
• starter pullets
• layers
• birds for meat.

This includes farming chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl and turkeys.

If you want to establish a poultry farm, currently operate one, or are looking to expand, you will need:

• a development permit issued under the Planning Act 2016
• an environmental authority (EA) issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.